The CMP12 blood test is part of a basic health screening that may have been ordered by your doctor. It measures your complete metabolic profile so that an overview of your body’s organ and muscle functions can be examined.
There are a number of measurements that will be taken from your CMP12 blood sample.
1. Glucose. This will measure the sugar levels that are in the blood. Abnormal results may indicate the presence of diabetes or hypoglycemia.
2. BUN. The Blood Urea Nitrogen levels are waste products that are produced in the kidneys and the liver. This is used to determine organ functioning levels.
3. Creatine. This is also a waste product, but it is produced when muscle tissues break down. This is used to measure how effectively the kidneys are filtering.
4. Glom Filtration. This is another measurement of the filtering capabilities of the kidneys.
5. Uric Acid. This compound rises in the blood when food is consumed, but it is supposed to be expelled with excess waste. When it is not, then uric acid can cause gout. This test is also used to monitor those who are in radiation treatments or chemotherapy for their cancer.
These areas are the primary measurements that are examined with the CMP12 blood test. Because this is a complete test, however, there are other areas of health that will also be examined with the results that come back.
The CMP12 Blood Test Measures Electrolyte Levels
The results of this blood test are also going to measure the various fluids that are within the blood. These electrolytes must be balanced with other body fluids in specific ways to indicate how well or how poorly the body is functioning. There are three primary points of focus in this area of the CMP12 blood test.
1. Sodium. Many think of sodium as salt, but it is also considered to be an electrolyte and it is regulated by the kidneys. Sodium levels that are out of balance may indicate kidney function issues.
2. Potassium. This is another electrolyte that is controlled by the kidneys. The heart especially needs regulated potassium levels, but it is also essential to good nerve heath. Low potassium levels have been known to cause muscle spasms and nerve twitches.
3. Chloride. This electrolyte is needed to maintain the overall balance of fluids within the body. It also affects the pH balance of the body so that proper functioning can be achieved.
Proteins, Minerals, and Enzymes Are Also Measured
These items are all included with the CMP12 blood test because they reflect how well your body is functioning on a daily basis. Certain minerals are measured, such as calcium and phosphorus, because they are required for proper blood clotting to occur and high levels may indicate that presence of kidney disease.
Proteins are also measured because having too many or too few proteins can also be an indication that there may be an underlying health problem that is present. Globulin is one of the most important measurements because this type of protein actually fights diseases off. Total protein levels are also examined because it will indicate how effective the kidneys are functioning.
ALT is also measured in the CMP12 blood test and this indicates how effective the liver is actually functioning. ALT can also be found in the muscles, kidneys, and pancreas, so it is seen as a measurement of overall health. This test may also be ordered separately as a SGPT blood test by some doctors.
Enzymes are the final point of emphasis in the CMP12 blood test. They are looked at because healthy enzyme levels indicate the presence of healthy chemical activities within the body’s cells. Everything from gallbladder function [bilirubin] to cell damage [LDH] can be measured with these enzyme tests. Liver disease, bone disease, and muscle damage can all be found in the enzyme tests when they may not be found in the other panels that are run.
What Else Is Run With the CMP12?
When the CMP12 blood test is ordered, a complete blood count and a urinary analysis is often ordered as well. These two additional tests help to give a more accurate picture of what is going on within the body. High white blood cell counts, for example, in conjunction with abnormal CMP12 results may indicate the presence of an infection, a disease, or a deeper level problem, such as leukemia or other bone marrow issues.
Sometimes abnormal results on this blood test series can result from alcohol or drug abuse. It is important to discuss all of your lifestyle choices when this panel is ordered because this will help doctors to fully explain what your unique results happen to be.